[Pharm-policy] Autogen and IPR of Tonga's Gene pool

[James Love]

http://www.asx.com.au/nd50/nd_ISAPI_50.dll/asx/research/AnnDetail.jsp?id=222973
See also: http://slashdot.org/articles/00/11/22/0523255.shtml
http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/bioethics/9902/iceland.dna/template.html

Autogen gets rights to the Tonga human DNA database.  Similar to
Iceland case.

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New Gene Discovery Initiative in South Pacific Is Tonga


Document date: Fri 17 Nov 2000 Released time: Fri 17 Nov 2000 11:02:05
Document No: 170128  Document part: A
Market Flag: Y
Classification: Other

AUTOGEN LIMITED                               2000-11-17  ASX-SIGNAL-G

HOMEX - Melbourne

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SUMMARY OF ANNOUNCEMENT

Autogen announces new Gene Discovery Initiative in the South Pacific
Island of Tonga.

DETAILS OF ANNOUNCEMENT

Autogen Limited (Australian Stock Exchange: AGT) today announced the
signing of an agreement with Tonga's Ministry of Health to establish a
major research initiative aimed at identifying genes that cause common
diseases using the unique population resources in the Kingdom of Tonga.

This new initiative will establish a genetics based research facility in
Tonga with the aim of developing a major health database for the purpose
of identifying disease-causing genes. The Kingdom of Tonga has a
population of around 108,000 people of Polynesian descent. The unique
family structure and isolation of this population together with the high
prevalence of a variety of diseases represents a major resource for
geneticists to identify genes that predispose people to these diseases.

Under the terms of the agreement, any serum or DNA samples collected in
Tonga shall remain the property of Tonga and Autogen will provide the
resources to establish a health database and create a major research
facility in Tonga. The collection of DNA and medical information will be
in accordance with the highest ethical standards.

In return for access to these samples and data, Autogen will provide
annual research funding to Tonga's Ministry of Health in addition to
paying net royalties on revenues generated from any discoveries that are
commercialised. These funds will be of great benefit to the people of
Tonga.

Professor Greg Collier, Autogen's Director Research and Development said
"This major research initiative will benefit Tonga as well as Autogen's
gene discovery program. The establishment of a research centre will
create many new job opportunities in scientific research and provide
opportunities for Tongan graduates overseas to return to the country and
participate in world-class scientific research. We expect the research
facility to grow into a major Autogen initiative over the next few
years".

Professor Collier added "Opportunities for genetic research into a range
of other diseases are very exciting and Tonga provides a unique
opportunity for conducting this type of research."

Mr Joseph Gutnick, Chairman and Managing Director of Autogen said that
"This major new alliance with the government of Tonga continues
Autogen's growth into a world leader in the field of gene discovery. Our
substantial database of human DNA samples will now be complemented by
the unique samples from Tonga and help to accelerate Autogen's growth as
a world class biotechnology company."

Melbourne based Autogen is a leading genomic biotechnology company
focused on the research and discovery of gene targets for new therapies
and diagnostics. The Company has a major strategic alliance with Lipha
s.a., a wholly owned subsidiary of Merck KGaA of Darmstadt, Germany for
its diabetes and obesity research program. This new initiative in Tonga
is an expansion of Autogen's obesity and diabetes gene discovery program
into new diseases and will form the basis for future strategic
alliances.

For more information on Autogen, please visit the Company's Web site
located at www.autogenlimited.com.au, or contact Professor Greg Collier,
Director Research & Development on 03 9234 1188 or 0419 897 501.

J I Gutnick
CHAIRMAN & MANAGING DIRECTOR